Chit Nasty (Unplugged)

Isle of Rhodes, Matt Phillips & The Philharmonics

Chit Nasty (Unplugged)

Ecstasy. It fills the faces of fans at the live shows, emanates from the bodies shaking to the powerful rhythms of three guitars, drums, and keyboards. Plain and simple: this band makes people happy. The Chit Nasty Band is the creation of Christian “Chit” Foushee-Green, singer, songwriter, and keyboardist extraordinaire. Raised in the music of the black church, Foushee-Green knows how to inspire an audience through upbeat lyrics, onstage dance moves, and expert musicianship. His trademark sound harkens back to the funk bands of the 70s and 80s, but with a contemporary flair that reflects the vibrant music scene of Chapel Hill/Durham, North Carolina. Foushee-Green has assembled around him a group of expert musicians whose steady, powerful sound gives him the platform on which to freelance. Bassist Michael Bare, a veteran of Lucky Strike, Jessica Long and the New Kind, and The Chris Hendricks Band, creates the foundation with bass lines guaranteed to loosen up the tightest bod. Guitarist Jackson Manuel adds soaring, precise leads, and backing vocals that rival any of today’s professional singers. Trading leads and vocals with Manuel is guitarist John Faltass. John’s Sphinx-like expression belies a playful soul whose aim is “to put your head in the clouds while keeping one of your feet on the ground.” Drummer Evrick Lee, “E” for short, joined the group in 2013. Creative and upbeat, E is described by the band as “the drummer we were always looking for.” Together they create a sound that will make you feel good deep down in your soul and lift you up higher and higher. Welcome to the Nasty Nation!

Isle of Rhodes

Isle of Rhodes was founded in the spring of 2011 by front man and keyboardist Rob Farren. Farren, who had previously played keys with Aphonic (of Detroit), and synth bass with Kiss or Kill decided that he would like to strip his rig down to one keyboard: a Rhodes. An eclectic choice for an instrument, the Rhodes is a vintage keyboard with similar circuitry to an electric guitar. The Rhodes was made famous by the work of soul and funk artists, such as Stevie Wonder, and Bernie Worrell. Farren, influenced by that sound, focused on creating a contemporary rock version of Rhodes playing. Using all analog gear, including tape delay, distortion, wah, and phaser pedals, Farren has sculpted a sound evocative of a three-piece guitar band. Featuring Colin Behram on drums, this two-piece band, has garnered attention for its flowing melodies and huge sound, drawing comparisons to bands such as The Shins, The Magnetic Fields, and Radiohead.

Isle of Rhodes' first studio length album "All Rivers and Oceans" was recorded with Grammy winning producer Jason Corsaro (Steve Winwood, Duran Duran, Motorhead, Madonna) and co-producer David Lloyd of Social Hero. Machine Dream Records will release the album in April of 2012. "All Rivers and Oceans" is not a just a collection of songs but a true body of work. Farren set out to use the recording studio as an instrument in its own right. According to Farren the band "didn't want to limit [itself] to just replicate the live show, but to fully produce a piece of art." To that end, in addition to his Rhodes, Farren used Piano, and Hammond B3 organ. Farren also brought in strings, and auxiliary percussionist Gerardo Velez (Jimi Hendrix). Farren's extraordinary vocal performances are found throughout the record, punctuating each song with his versatile approach. Some songs remind the listener of Freddie Mercury, while others of John Lennon, and David Bowie. The creative arrangement of the backups vocals, performed by Ian Lloyd (Stories, Foreigner), David Lloyd, and Farren himself, serve only to enhance these amazing performances. This combined with Farren's moving, and smart lyrics take the listener on a journey through the human soul. The unique combination of all these amazing elements creates an incredible album in "All Rivers and Oceans."

Matt Phillips & The Philharmonics

Matt Phillips & the Philharmonic is a soulful band that strives to make music people can get behind. After aging out of his high-school band, Cole Park, Matt Phillips continued his solo career into college at ECU. With folk and soul roots as deep as the cracks in his weathered acoustic, Matt has crafted his songwriting skills working alongside Django Haskins (International Orange, The Old Ceremony) and began pumping out songs known for their emotionality and loveable lyrics. After scoring an internship at Manifold Recording near his home in Chapel Hill, NC, Matt recorded his first EP with Manifold's chief engineer, Ian Schreier.

Joining forces in the Fall 2011 with four other tall, handsome gentlemen from East Carolina University's School of Music, Matt and the guys (Travis Huff, Connor Mangold, Greg Williams and Tre Harrison) have come together as Matt Phillips & The Philharmonic. The five-member, instrumentally flexible band lays out a sly-jazzy feel with soulful vocals and big-band era horn solos. Add that to the thump of feel-good baselines, tight drums, and the occasional harmonica solo, and you can't help but bob your head. The band is currently raising money to record their first full-length album to be released in summer 2013.

With nearly 300 shows already under their belt and a solid EP paving their way, Matt Phillips & the Philharmonic combines stellar songwriting, soulful vocals, and a full ensemble of musicians into a unique band with a very bright future.